College Hockey:

According to a report on Beyond The Dashers, the Lindenwood University women’s team will make the jump from ACHA to Division I varsity next season.

Lindenwood, located in St. Charles, Mo., is moving all of its athletic programs to the NCAA level and will be in the first of a two-year candidacy period before being granted full NCAA membership. The Lions will play as an independent in women’s hockey for at least the 2011-2012 season.

“Lindenwood is excited to elevate its women’s ice hockey program to NCAA status,” said athletic director John Creer in a statement. “The women’s team has already established a winning tradition in the ACHA and we now look forward to future success in the NCAA at the DI level of play.”

The Lady Lions began the program in 2003-04 and have qualified for the national tournament in all eight years of their existence, winning four national titles, a runner-up finish and most recently, a third-place finish. Lindenwood has also captured three league titles in the Central Collegiate Women’s Hockey Association.

The following is a self-policing forum for discussing views on this story. Comments that are derogatory, make personal attacks, are abusive, or contain profanity or racism will be removed at our discretion. USCHO.com is not responsible for comments posted by users. Please report any inappropriate or offensive comments by clicking the “Flag” link next to that comment in order to alert the moderator.

Please also keep “woofing,” taunting, and otherwise unsportsmanlike behavior to a minimum. Your posts will more than likely be deleted, and worse yet, you reflect badly on yourself, your favorite team and your conference.

Snipercohan23

It’s easy to win National Championships at the Club level when you are giving student athletes full rides

BU fan in Chicago

What about the men’s program?

CARDS_rule_the_Burgh

Men’s program is in a bit of a jam. DI is still in its moratorium, and has recently stiffened the requirements for joining DI, to include 5 years of active DII membership before the 5-year provisional period in DI. On top of that, DI is now allowing no NEW play-up teams. Lindenwood is joining DII. The women’s team is benefiting from the “National Collegiate” (NOT DI) status of the top level of Women’s Hockey. They get to start playing right off the bat. DI is allowing play-ups for teams whose division does not sponsor a championship in that sport, which is the case for DII Hockey.

My guess is Lindenwood’s Men’s team will be allowed into DI, but not before the 2-year provisional period into DII is complete, and then there will be a provisional period, likely of 2 additional years, for the hockey team upon beginning their playup. In the meantime, it is actually in their best interest to stay in the ACHA.